Condenser system



1941- l A. B. MUELLER 2,229,760

CONDENSER SYSTEM Filed March 18, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 "IHH IIIH.

INVENTOR Albeni B. Mueller VATTOR EYS Jan. 28, 1941. A. BQMUELLER CONDENSER SYSTEM Filed March 18, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR AZbePZB Mueller BY $1644 ATTORNYaS w n m MW m. WJ: H NM M f Q Q Patented Jan. 28, 1941 UNITED STATES CONDENSER SYSTEM Albert B. Mueller, Clifton, N. J., assignor to Gen- I eral Printing Ink Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application March 18, 1938, Serial No. 196,601

9 Claims.

My invention relates to a projection apparatus and, more particularly, my invention has reference to a cooling arrangement for a condenser system.

In accordance with my invention, a suitable arrangement, such as'a fan mechanism, is utilized for cooling condenser lenses and other parts of the projection apparatus in a novel manner.

Further, my invention relates to novel supporting and/or adjusting devices for some of the condenser lenses and other parts of said projection apparatus.

Various other objects, advantages and characteristics of my invention will become apparent from the following description.

My invention resides in the projection apparatus, condenser system, cooling means therefor, features and arrangements ,of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of my invention and for an illustration of one of the forms thereof, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a yertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing a projection apparatus as constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing the condenser assembly and the cooling arrangement therefor;

Fig. 3 is a transverse, vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the condenser assembly;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the condenser supporting arrangement; and

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, showing the condenser supporting arrangement of Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 1, A represents the projection axis of the disclosed projection apparatus, the projecting light beam passing along this axis in a direction from left to right, Fig. l.

The herein disclosed projection apparatus may be adjustably mounted on tracks I tied or connected together by transversely extending structures 2. Suitably supported, as by the rollers 3, on the tracks i is a carriage 4 which forms the main support for various parts of the projection apparatus. The carriage 4, on its upper surface, comprises a pair of tracks la upon which parts of the projection apparatus are mounted in the manner hereinafter described.

Slidably supported on the tracks 4a is a base or support 5 from which upstands spaced standards 6. Suitably secured to the standards 6 is a member i which forms a support for the objection transversely of the machine.

tive lens 8. Secured to-the member 1 by a plurality .of spacing sleeves 1a is a member 1b to which is secured in suitable manner one end of an expansible bellows 9, the other end of which is suitably secured, .as hereinafter described, to 5 a vertical frame standing from and fixed to the aforesaid carriage 4. The member 1b is spaced from the member 1 and, therefore, a plurality of passages are provided for the escape of streams of air as hereinafter more fully described.

The negative or other photographic plate II from which a reproduction is to be made may be carried by any suitable plate holder such, for example, as has heretofore been utilized for this purpose in connection with prior art projecting l5 machines. As herein shown, said photographic plate H may be held detachably in position on a plate 12 by clamping members I I3 each of which comprises a threaded shank l4 coactable with a nut member I5. The plate I2'is suitably secured I in readily detachable manner to a plate It which is rotatably mounted on rollers l1 secured to one side of a plate 18 guided by rollers 19 in such manner that it is slidable in a horizontal direc- The rollers i9 are journalled, respectively, on stub shafts projecting from a plate20 to which, adjacent the opposite sides thereof, the respective chains 2| are secured, each chain 2| passing over a roller 22 and each chain being attached to a counterweight, not shown, the counter-weights being slidable within the respective tubes 23. The plate 20 carries laterally extending blocks 24 which slidably engage the respective standards 25 ver-- tically secured to aplate 26 resting upon rollers 21 journall'ed to the upstanding frame 28 to' which, as hereinbefore described, one end of the aforesaid bellows 9 are secured. The frame 28 carries upper and lower retaining members 29 and 30 utilizable for securing the plate 26 in operative position as shown in Fig. 1. As illustrated, chains or other flexible elements 3| are connected to a set of the blocks 24 and trained over wheels 32, the lower wheels 32 being positively driven by a device not shown so that the plate20 may be elevated or lowered in a desired manner. As clearly indicated in Fig. 1, the various plates l2, l6, I8, 20, 26 together with the upstanding frame 28 are suitably apertured so that the projecting light beam may pass through the negative plate .II in a direction from left to right, Fig. 1, and then through open space until coming into. engagement with the objective lens 8. Although I have described .a particular arrangement for supporting a negative plate II, it

shall be understood that the invention is not to be thus limited. If desired, other suitable negative-supporting arrangements may be used in lieu of the one herein described in some detail.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the tracks 4a of the aforesaid carriage 4 support a base member 33 which, in turn, supports a housing 34 utilizable as hereinafter described. Suitably secured, as by bolts 38, Fig. 2, to the upper flat surface of the housing 34 is a housing 38 to which, on a pin 31, is pivoted a complementary housing 38, these two housings being adapted to be secured together in closed relation by a pin 33, Fig; 3, and the housing 38, if desired, having a ring 38b secured thereto for the convenient attachment of a light baffle. The housings 38, 38 support the respective condenser lenses 48, 4| and, as herein shown, these lenses are supported in a novel and advantageous manner.

Thus, the lens 48 has its peripheral edge received in a protective envelope 42 which, preferably, is formed from asbestos or other suitable non-inflammable material. The front surface of this envelope 42 is seated against the forward flanged edge of a ring support 43 which is flxed to the cylindrical section 38a of the housing 38 by screws 44. The rear surface of the envelope 42 is seated against a ring 45 which is maintained in clamping position by wedge members 48 secured to the ring support 43 by the respective screws 41. In this advantageous manner, the front condenser lens 48 is secured in fixed position interiorly of the housing 38.

The rear condenser lens 4|, likewise, has its peripheral edge received in a protective envelope 48 preferably formed from the same material as the aforesaid envelope 42. The rear surface of this envelope 48 is seated against the flanged surface of a ring support 43 which is threaded to the interior surface of the cylindrical section 384: of the housing 38, this ring support 43 comprising a plurality of rearwardly extending lugs 48a utilizable as hereinafter described. The front surface of the envelope 48 is seated against a ring 88 which is maintained in clamping position by a plurality of wedge members 5| secured to the ring support 43 by the respective screws 82.

In accordance with my invention, the projection apparatus herein disclosed has associated therewith a cooling system of novel character. Thus, as illustrated, the housing 34 contains a suitable fan or pump mechanism 53 which is operated by a suitable electric motor 54, or equivalent, this fan and motor assembly being secured interiorly of the housing 34 in any desirable manner as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

In order that a plentiful supply of cooling air may be available, one side wall of the housing 34 may be formed from an open grill section 55 and this, if desired, may comprise a door section 55a pivoted at 58 and having a handle 81 together with a latch 58.

As shown in Fig. '2, the fan mechanism 53 comprises two outlets 53 and 88 each of which is traversed by a stream of cooling air.

The outlet 53 comprises an upwardly directed nozzle which causes a stream of cooling air to pass upwardly in contacting relation with respect to the front face of the condenser lens 48 and the rear face of the aforesaid P otographic plate II.

The outlet 88 discharges a stream of cooling air upwardly through alined openings 8| formed in the top wall of the housing 34 and the bottom wall of the housing 38. Thereafter. the air stream last named passes upwardly principally between and in contacting relation with respect to the adjacent faces of the condenser lenses 48 and 4|. To this end, it is desirable, but not necessary, that the abutting surfaces of the housing cylindrical sections 380 and 38a be so formed as to provide a plurality of slots or passages 82 which, preferably, are arranged as shown in Fig. 3. Further, it is desirable that the upper abutting surfaces of the housings 38 and 38 be so shaped as to form a discharge oriflce 83 above which, if desired, there may be disposed a deflecting cap structure 84.

As clearly appears from a consideration of Fig. 3, a part of the stream of cooling air from the outlet 88 passes upwardly through the lowermost passage 82 and then, after moving in engagement with adjacent surfaces of the condenser lenses 48 and 41', passes to atmosphere by way of the uppermost passage 82 and the discharge orifice 83. As graphically indicated in Fig. 3, it will be understood that some of the stream of cooling air which thus passes upwardly through the lowermost passage 82 moves outwardly through the side passages 82. In addition to the foregoing, some of the cooling air fromthe outlet 88 passes upwardly on the exterior of the cylindrical housing walls 38a, 38a and thereby effectively cools said cylindrical housing walls together with adjacent peripheral surfaces of the condenser lenses 48,- 4|.

In addition to the foregoing, if desirable and necessary, there may be provided a lower passage 84a which opens'to the interior of the housing 38, this passage 84 cooperating with passages 85 and 88, formed in the cylindrical housing wall 38a to provide a path for convection air currents so as to cool the rear face of the condenser lens 4|.

As shown in Fig. 1, there is provided, in accordance with my invention, a second motor 81 which operates a fan mechanism 88, this motor and fan assembly being disposed within the aforesaid carriage 4 and movable therewith. The outlet from said fan mechanism extends upwardly through the top wall of the carriage 4 and communicates with two tubes or conduits 83 and 18. The latter extend upwardly and pass through the frame 28, the tube 83 being of such character and so arranged that it directs a stream of cooling air into engagement with the front surface of the photographic plate II, and the tube 18 being of such character and so arranged that it directs a stream of cooling air toward and into engagement with the rear face of the aforesaid objective lens 8. As indicated in Fig. 1, the streams of air thus utilized pass from within the space defined by the bellows 3 and the associated mechanism by way of passages formed in the top area of this assembly. Further, some of the air which thus reaches the interior of the bellows 3 passes therefrom by way of the passages between the plates 1, lb.

It will be understood that the are light source for producing the projecting light beam is disposed closely adjacent the condenser lens assembly. In accordance with the invention, it is desirable that a lamp be provided with a red reflector Figs, 1 and 3, and arranged in circuit with the arc lamp so that, when the arc lamp is energized, the reflector 1| will be illuminated. This reflector II, as stated, is colored red so that there will be an indication that the arc lamp is operating and that the cooling system should be placed in operation. Further in accordance with the invention, a second lamp is provided with a green reflector 12, Figs. 1 and 3, this lamp being placed in the circuit of the motors 54 and 61 and, if desired, this circuit may be operated by a switch 13, Fig. 1. Accordingly, when the motors 54 and 61 are cperating, the green indication of the reflector I2 is indicative of the fact that the cooling system is in operation.

As a result of the operation of the aforesaid arc lamp, 9. large amount of heat is generated and, by reason of the lens assemblies, this heat is concentrated along the optical axis A. As well understood, condenser and objective lenses as herein disclosed are expensive and, in the absence of an eflicient cooling system, great damage is likely to occur.

- housing sections 36a, 38a.

As herein shown, the stream of cooling air from the outlet 60 eflectively cools the adjacent faces of the condenservlenses 40 and 4|. Preferably, the lower passage 62 is somewhat narrower than the upper passages 62 and this re sults in a desired distribution of the cooling air both within'and without the chambers defined y the cylindrical housing sections 36a, 38a whereby a very effective cooling of the condenser lens 40 and 4| is obtained throughout the area thereof. Moreover, the heated air travelling upward in the chamber on the exterior of the cylindrical housing sections 36a, 38a causes a siphoning effect, at the side passages 52, on the heated air within the inner chamber defined by said This operation is advantageous.

Further, the stream of cooling air issuing from the outlet 59 comes into engagement with the front face of the condenser lens 40 and the rear face of the photographic negative II. This stream of cooling air is applied in an emcient manner to parts of the optical system which should be maintained relatively cool if damage thereto is to be prevented.

In addition to the foregoing, it is desirable that an arrangementbe provided at the rear face of the condenser lens 4| as constituted by the passages 64a, 65 and 86 so that convection air currents may readily rise to thereby withdraw heat from this extremely hot zone.

Even though the condenser lens assembly and the rear face of the photographic plate II is maintaind relatively cool by the disclosed cooling system, it inevitably results that the forward optical parts are heated to an undesired extent unless some protective heat-withdrawing means be utilized. It is for this reason that I provide the cooling arrangement of Fig. 1 so that cooling air may be efiiciently applied to the forward face of the photographic plate H and throughout the area surrounding the objective lens 8.

Experience has demonstrated that the disclosed arrangement for peripherally supporting the condenser lenses is desirable and advantageous.

Moreover, the lugs 49a of the ring support 49 may be manually rotated, when the housing 38 is open, to thereby move the condenser lens 4| either toward or from the condenser lens 48. A focusing arrangement of this character is desirable and advantageous because the planar rear face of the lens 4| remains continuously at right angles to the optical axis A and the parabolic surfaces of the condenser lenses may be moved into proper relation so as to obtain a desired distribution of light on the photographic plate ll. Moreover, any projected image of a bubble eflect existing in the condenser lens assembly may readily be overcome by shifting the rear condenser lens 4| in the advantageous manner described above.

While the invention has been described with respect to a certain particular preferred example which gives satisfactory results, it will be understood 'by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In projection apparatus,-a housing comprising cylindrical housing sections forming with each other "a chamber through which air is adapted to pass in an upward direction, a condenser iens assembly disposed within the space defined by the inner cylindrical housing section, and means forming a path of communication between said chamber and said space.

2. In projection apparatus, a housing comprising cylindrical housing sections forming with each other a chamber through which air is adapted to pass in an upward direction, a condenser lens assembly disposed within the space defined by the inner cylindrical housing section, and means forming a path of communication between said chamber and said space, said means comprising a narrow lower slot and a pluralityof wider upper slots.

3. In projection apparatus, a housing comprising cylindrical housing sections forming with each other a chamber through which air is adapted to pass in an upward direction, a condenser lens assembly disposed within the space defined by the inner cylindrical housing section, means forming a path of communication between said chamber and said space, said means comprising a, narrow lower slot and a plurality of wider upper slots, and means whereby streams of cooling air may pass upwardly adjacent the respective front and rear faces of said condenser lens assembly.

4. In projection apparatus, the combination with an objective lens and a photographic plate spaced therefrom, an expansible bellows forming a chamber between said objective lens and said photographic plate, means for causing cool- -irig air to pass into engagement with one faceof said photographic plate, and means for caus-' ing cooling air to pass through said bellows toward said objective lens.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a movable carriage, projection apparatus secured to said carriage, a motor and pump mechanism secured toward the forward end of said carriage, a motor and pump mechanism secured toward the rear end of said carriage, and means whereby said pump mechanisms cause the passage of a plurality of streams of cooling air into engagement with different parts of said projection apparatus.

6. In projection apparatus, a condenser lens assembly comprising a cylindrical housing section havingnarrow passages in opposite respective sides thereof, adjacent the bottom thereof and adjacent the top thereof, a plurality of condenser, lenses supported thereby in suitable spaced relation, and means for passing cooling air through the bottom passage so that it enters the space defined by said cylindrical housing section, said cooling air passing from said space by way of the side and top passages.

7. In projection apparatus, a condenser lens assembly comprising a cylindrical housing section having narrow passages in opposite respective sides thereof, adjacent the bottom thereof and adjacent the top thereof, a plurality of condenser lenses supported thereby in suitable spaced relation, and means for passing cooling air through the bottom passage so that it enters the space defined by said cylindrical housing section, said cooling air passing from said space by way of the side and top passages, said means causing cooling air to pass between the face of one of said lenses and an adjacent photographic plate, said means comprising a pump mechanism having a plurality of separate outlets.

8. In projection apparatus, a condenser lens assembly comprising a cylindrical housing section, spaced condenser lenses supported thereby, means forming a chamber around said cylindrical housing section, means comprising a pump for forcing cooling air upwardly into said chamber adjacent the bottom thereof, said first named means guiding the cooling air along curved paths extending substantially entirely around the periphery of said condenser lenses, the cooling air passing upwardly along said paths partly under the influence of said pump and partly as a convectior air current, said cooling air passing from said chamber to the atmosphere at or adjacent the top thereof, said cylindrical housing section having narrow passages in opposite respective sides thereof, adjacent the bottom thereof and adjacent the top thereof, and means for passing cooling air through the bottom passage so that it enters the space defined by said cylindrical housing section, said cooling air passing from said space by way of the side and top passages.

9. In projection apparatus, a condenser lens assembly comprising a cylindrical housing section having narrow passages in opposite respective sides thereof, adjacent the bottom thereof and adjacent the top thereof, a plurality of condenser lenses supported thereby in suitable spaced relation, means for passing cooling air through the bottom passage so that it enters the space defined by said cylindrical housing section, said cooling air passing from said space by way of the side and top passages, said cylindrical housing section comprising a fixed housing and a cooperative movable housing in which said condenser lenses are mounted respectively, means for supporting said movable housing for move- 'ment toward or from said fixed housing, and

means for releasably holding said movable housing in a closed position with respect to said fixed housing, said condenser lenses being in alinement when said movable housing is thus in closed position.

ALBERT B. MUELLER. 

